Files show Hoskins lied on GRPS app

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Kenneth Hoskins Jr., the former school advocate accused of sexually molesting two teenage students, lied on his application to get the job, according to his personnel file obtained by 24 Hour News 8.

When asked, "Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense other than a minor traffic violation?" He wrote, "No," on his application dated Aug. 27, 2007.

However, Grand Rapids District Court records show he was convicted twice for providing false information to police -- in 2000 and again in 2003. In one case, he was sentenced to three days in jail.

The district says it was unaware of any convictions.

Hoskins, 32, is the son of Board of Education member, Rev. Kenneth Hoskins Sr. While the convictions show up in district court, they aren't listed in a state police background check.

24 Hour News 8 obtained Hoskins' personnel file, including his job application, under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA.)

In the application, he wrote:

"It is my sincere desire to reach out to at risk youth. I have overcome so many adverse situations, from teen pregnancy to having an immediate family member deal with drug addiction. I know that if given the chance I can show some of these young men and women that there is a way to escape any adverse situation.

"I can make a difference."

Hoskins, who worked as a school advocate at Central High School, is accused of having sexual relationships with a pair of 16-year-old girls shortly after he started.

One of the alleged assaults occured at the school, police said.

The other allegedly led to a Motel 6. That victim has testified against him in a preliminary hearing. He was ordered to stand trial in that case.

On Monday, a second preliminary hearing was adjourned after the other 16-year-old reportedly ran away. Hoskins' attorney says she doesn't want to testify.

In each case, he's charged with third-degree sexual assault -- 15-year felonies.

Records in Kent County Circuit Court also show four paternity suits against Hoskins -- involving four children with three teen-aged mothers. In one case, he was 17 when he got a 13-year-old girl pregnant.

The school district hired him in October 2008, first at Riverside Middle, before moving him to the youth advocate job a month later at Central High School, where he was paid $16.08 an hour.

Hoskins, a Ferris State University graduate, had worked as a substitute teacher in Grand Rapids from 1999 to 2002 before taking jobs at banks, his file shows.

On his application, Hoskins listed three job references, but, under state law, the district redacted their names.

He resigned from the youth advocate job in June, citing "job-related stress."